Civic News

Field and Compass- Come Inside

Field Report No. 20161007RC

COMMENTS: It's getting crisp out there. Of course, it's still some of the best weather of the year for enjoying the PNW outdoors. But as it darkens a bit earlier, and the fall colors are put away each day like a set of paints, that's a good signal to look indoors. And there is a lot to experience with a new season of arts and theater events in Spokane. There's a lot more starting up than we can list here, but three things are firmly on our radar:

Spokane Civic Theatre. Just north of our lovely meandering Spokane River, there's this community theater that's been doing stuff since shortly after World War II. Stuff that wins more national-level awards for artistic merit than other volunteer community theaters. Stuff with pro-level production value on the main stage. Stuff that's a bit more intimate, mature-audience, or experimental downstairs in the studio theatre. Whoever you are, there is something there this season (their 70th!) that was made with you in mind, and with all kinds of blood/sweat/tears/practice. So go support it. Case in point: this season is already off to a booming start with jam-packed performances of Beauty and the Beast making Disney dreams come true (on through 10/9), but if that isn't your thing, the Rocky Horror Show is starting up (10/14 thru 11/5) in the studio theatre. If you're a RHPS "virgin" you might want to figure out audience participation cues and props you should bring. As Lenny Bart, the Civic's new Artistic Director told me, "It's important for us to offer great diversity, to pick a season that appeals to the whole community. As an artist, I find it incredibly exciting that we're working on Beauty and the Beast one day, and Rocky Horror Show the next."